Norman conquest to make history at Open
Greg Norman, who has lost more Majors than Tiger has won in his career, including all the four Majors in a playoff at least once in his career, is on the verge of creating history.
The 53-year-old legendary Australian, who is designing three of the four golf courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates, led the tournament at two-over par 212, two ahead of defending champion Padraig Harrington and South Korean KJ Choi after battling extremely windy conditions on Saturday.
If Norman manages to hold on to his lead today, he will become the oldest Major champion in the history of the game, beating Jack Nicklaus’ record of winning the 1986 Masters at the age of 46.
Even though the sun was shining for the first time in three days at Royal Birkdale, gusting winds of upto 80 kmph at times made it a tough test for the players. So much so, that R&A decided against giving a second cut to the greens and also shorten three holes. Still, the scoring average was 75.75 – almost six-over par.
Norman, winner of the Open Championship in 1986 and 1993, said it was one of the toughest rounds he ever played.
“I would put it in the top-three hardest rounds I have ever played under the circumstances. I have played in tougher weather conditions, but under the circumstances, the third round of a Major and on a course like Royal Birkdale, it was just brutal today,” said Norman.
“The wind was so heavy and strong. It was so hard to start the ball 60 or even 80 yards right or left of your target line. I have never seen the ball react like it did once it hits its apex.”
Norman refused to think ahead on the possibility of creating golf history.
“I am not going to go ahead of myself. I am going to have the same mindset. I am going to be out there... with the same mindset. You have got to stay focussed and stay in the present,” he added.
Harrington, who almost pulled out on the eve of the tournament with a wrist injury, was happy with his position going into the final day. But even he was impressed with Norman’s performance.
“I played a couple of times with him, and when he is interested, Greg Norman can really play. In an exhibition match at Doonbeg, he knocked the socks off me,” said the Irishman.
“At other times, I have seen him come to the course and he is looking at the design and has other things on his mind. But he is as fit as a 53-year-old can be, and when he wants it, he can certainly play.”
The best round of the day was even-par 70, shot by 2003 champion Ben Curtis, Dubai-based Henrik Stenson, David Love III and Simon Wakefield of England, who moved to sole fourth place at five-over 215 with that round. Curtis improved to tied fifth at 217, while Stenson was up to tied ninth at eight-over 218.